A clash of two sides playing without confidence produced a Vanarama National game which is unlikely to stay long in the memory of any among the 1,005 crowd.

Matt Robinson - clearly the outstanding Cards player on the day, even if the man-of-the-match judges found reason to chose Mark Ricketts - put the hosts in front in the 31st minute.

Yet his side’s propensity for both wasting advantages and being bettered at set-pieces, the latter closer to an epidemic, was to prove costly once again.

Hill said: “We’re getting into positions to win games but it’s just not happening and draws have been turning into losses.

“But the players are working hard and battling for us. It’s not through lack of effort - we’re a bit short on quality in the final third, we know that, but I can’t knock the players.

“It’s a point in the right direction.”

'Sticking together'

Neither team entered the match in much form - Gateshead arriving with just one victory in six, albeit boasting far better form travelling than on Tyneside - while their hosts had not enjoyed league success since January 9 .

He looked on the bright side though, adding: “I thought if any team was going to win it then it would be us.

“We were up against a side six points off the play-offs. When you’re in a run like this, which I’ve not experienced before, it’s tough.